GROUP DISCUSSION

Dr.S.MATHUMATHY
Asst Prof in English , SSL
VIT, Vellore
dr.madhusiva@gmail.com
8870085846
 GROUP DISCUSSION
• Includes
 What is GD
 Types of GDs
 Performance parameters in GD s
 Role of Moderator
 How to improve your performance in
GDs
 WHY GD ?

 Judge situational responses

 Look for leaders, team players etc.
 Understand the thought processes of the
candidates.
 Find SMART Candidates

 Finally, to reject candidates

What does GD check ?

 Communication Skills
 Knowledge
 Leadership Skills
 Convincing power
 Interpersonal skills
 Creativity
 Group Dynamics
 Level of maturity `
 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Group Size: 8-10 candidates
Time allotted for the GD: 5-8 mts

Stands in GD :
• FOR
• AGAINST
• NEUTRAL
 SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

      
 TYPES OF GDS
Based on Method of Conducting

 Free Wheeling
 Fish Bowl
 Moderator Led
 Structured
 TYPES OF GDS
Based on Topic/Issue Given

» Topic Based
» Abstract
» Case Based
 TOPIC BASED
“SPELT” CATOGORY:
Social Topics
• Political Topics
• Economic Topics
• Legal Topics
• Technology Based Topics
&
• Sports or Films related
 How to master SPELT
You are required to be-
 Thorough with facts and figures
 Familiar with critical Socio-economic
indicators.
 Thorough with recent developments in all
sectors.
 Should be clear with specific nature of the
topic.
NON KNOWLEDGE BASED
Concrete Topics
• There can be clear cut views among
the participants
• No scope for varied interpretation
Ex:-Girls make better children than
boys
-Love marriages are better than
arranged marriages
 ABSTRACT TOPICS
• Interpretation vary from person to
person.
• Worldly knowledge is sufficient
*Black
*Blood is Red
 CASE BASED
Groups have to
• Study the case
• Analyze the case
• Discuss
• Arrive at a solution
PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS IN
A GROUP DISCUSSION

  
• Content
•    Communication
•    Group Behavior
• Leadership Skills
 CONTENT
Contribution Has to be meaningful, which
means –
• You have good knowledge base
• You are able to put forth points logically &
effectively.
• More valid points you make, the more
marks you score
 COMMUNICATION
• It is “How to say it.”[Not what to say]
• Correctly conveying what you want to say
• Effective Listening.
• Language – Assertive
– E.g. Intonations
 GROUP BEHAVIOR

• Evaluates Group Cohesiveness

• Rational Approach
• Adult-Adult interaction
 LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Showing Direction to group

• Balanced thinking.
ROLES IN GROUP DISCUSSION
ROLES IN GD :
The Unfortunate
The Egoist
The Average Candidate
The Fighter
The Leader
 GENERATING IDEAS

• Key Word Approach (KWA)

• Viewpoint of Affected Parties (VAP)
SPELT
S - Social
P - Political
E - Economical
L - Legal
T - Technological
 BODY LANGUAGE

• Open Palms
• Uniform Smile
• Natural hand movements
• Slightly tilted body
• Steady eye contact
• Assertive behavior
Like this…………
Not Like this…………
DO’S & Don'ts IN GD?
 TAKE THIS ALSO……

Husband – My alarm clock woke me

up for the first time this morning.

Friend – How’s that?

Husband – My wife hit me in the

head with it.
 DO’S of GD

• Quickly revise the standard topics & latest current

affairs.
• When topic given, try to recollect relevant points
& list them on pad/paper.
• Never hesitate to be the first one to speak but
avoid making comment on the way GD should go.
• Understand the topic and & put forth your points
immediately/quickly.
• Be mentally agile to pick up any opportunity to
speak.
 DO’S of GD

• Take a stand right in the beginning. Don’t change your

stand.
• Try to maintain eye contact with every participant when
you speak
• Listen carefully when others speak.
• Cite as many examples as possible.
• Novel & valid points score instant success.
• You can address the members by saying “FRIEND”.
• IF YOU DON’T SPEAK IN GD, YOU’LL BE
REJECTED, SO YOU MUST SPEAK.
DO’S of GD

> Maintain poise throughout the GD.

> If the topic is unknown then :-
• Do not take Initiative, Listen to others’ views &
Rephrase the points.
• If you have ten points on topic, don’t elaborate
every point but on 4-5 of them.
• In FISH MARKET situation, 2-3 good points are
enough.
 DON’TS of GD

Never point an accusing finger.

Never look towards moderators .
Never try to assume the self-styled leadership.
Never contradict your own previous statements.
Never disagree with any candidate in a blunt manner.
Never loose spirit during the GD.
Never use melodramatic statements.
Always use very natural accent.
An attitude of being superior to everyone else will leave you
in isolation.
 DON’TS of GD

Don’t over praise people.

Never engage in any one on one conversation.
Never use PET words.
Never use superfluous words or language.
Avoid using cheap language & slang.
Never tell your personal experiences.
Don’t try to elaborate same point every time.
Don’t bang the table & point finger to anybody in the group.
Don’t be discourteous to anybody.
When coordinator say STOP ,then stop the conversation then and
there.
Avoid statements like:
- “I whole heartedly support the topic”
- “I completely disagree with the topic”
Start as, “there are points in favor of and
against the topic…..”
If You Have Soft Voice…
Raise voice level but do not shout
Look for moments when the noise levels
are not very high and get into the
discussion.

Where to Interrupt ?
If You are Interrupted while
Discussing your Topic…
Tell in clear and unambiguous terms that you
should be allowed to speak
You can say:
-Excuse me, please let me complete
-Just a minute-let me finish my point
Raise your voice slightly
How to Get into the
Discussion…
Take Initiative
Be attentive and get into discussion
comfortably
Identify strong speakers and soft
speakers in group
Get into Discussion…
By using sentences like
“Yes, what you say is true…..”
“….but there is something more that
we should look at…”
“…and there is another reason to
support what you say…”
If You Do Not Know Much/
Anything about Topic…
 Do not take Initiative but moderate
 Listen carefully to others views and
note down
 Rephrase the points
Supporting Somebody Else
whose Ideas are Similar to
Yours…
Continue with that point and bring
out your views
Use expressions like:
yes you are right.”
I agree with you.”
Adopt the “Art of verbal pampering”
What if You Know a Lot About
the Topic and Others are
Relatively Ignorant…
Take Initiative
Do not present all the points at the
beginning itself
Keep introducing point after point.
Max 3-4 attempts are enough.
 TOUGH Situations

I could not START

Nobody let me SPEAK
Someone DOMINATED the GD
I could not UNDERSTAND the Topic
& There was a FISH MARKET

ALL THE BEST